"Heat of Battle"
[Previous post: "Executive Respite"]
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Deck 2, Corridor
The modified riffle in the Hirogen's hand did not feel any different
than the one he had held before, but the idea that this weapon might be
more effective against the Imperians had heightened Uxtar's hunter
instincts. Now the HATHOR's Sec/Tac officer had not only been
searching for these robots, he had been hunting with the distinct intention of
claiming a trophy to hang on the wall of his quarters.
Prav and Uxtar had taken point, the rest of the Marines having followed
with the CMO nested in the middle. As much as Doctor Summers might
have disliked where she had managed to find herself at, there had been no
other place where she would have rather been, with the possible
exception of on another ship.
The sound of heavy metallic footsteps brought the entire group to a
complete standstill. There had been no mistaking it for anything other
than what is was; an Imperian, and it was getting closer. Pravat
motioned for his men to take up position and to protect the CMO who had
already taken a less than visible crouched posture behind what little
debris had been on the floor. The Enaran and Hyrogen looked at one
another briefly to confirm that they had both been ready before aiming
their riffles at the bend in the corridor.
The echoes of the footsteps grew increasingly loud to the point where
it had become difficult for the Hirogen to think. Back at the Academy
Uxtar had taken part in his fair share of training scenarios, but none
had opposed him to something remotely resembling an Imperian. His eyes
narrowed and his breath shortened as the Sec/Tac officer waited for the
'Battle Droid' to make its appearance and be made to experience this
group's resolve to survive.
The moment the Imperian came into sight a barrage of pulse riffle fire
flew through the air, every shot hitting the unsuspecting robot
squarely against its body. Glee and arrogance were quickly replaced with
stunned shock as everyone noticed each shot fired hit and deflected by the
armored body of the Battle Droid. The next shots to cut through the
air came from the robot and sent each and every Marine searching for cover.
"Well that went well," Prav sarcastically said, looking down at his
riffle.
"You did say that they had not been tested," Uxtar said, snarling as
the Imperians' shot drew increasingly closer. "At least they didn't blow
up in our faces," the Hirogen added, reaching over the fallen bulkhead he
had taken refuge behind to fire a few more shots are the still
approaching robot.
Not having had the luxury to more careful aim his second volley, some
of the shots missed their targets while the others impacted the Imperian
in such a way they the energy of the weapon was deflected towards the
walls of the corridors. Uxtar felt sorry for having unintentionally damaged
the ship more than it was and given the CEO more work, but if these
'Battle Droids' were not stopped soon, there would likely not be anyone
left to complain about the state of the ship.
"Uxtar," Pravat called out. "Set your riffle to overload."
The Hirogen glared at the Enaran wondering if the MCO had all of a
sudden gone mad.
"I have no intention of blowing ourselves into next century," Prav
reassured. "This will cause a harmonic imbalance in the beam which
might or might help."
Seeing that they had nothing to lose at this point, the Sec/Tac
followed the instructions given and when both point weapons had been further
modified, the Marine gave the go ahead to open fire once more.
Although the energy bolts had not downed the Imperian, everyone saw
something that instantly raised their hopes as to the outcome of this
conflict. Instead of being deflected by the robot's armor the shots
had penetrated the shell and caused the 'Battle Droid' to actually take a
step backwards in order to maintain its balance.
Uxtar and Pravat looked at each other for a second before re-aiming
their riffles at the black armored Imperian, letting it have everything
that they could throw at it.
When the pulse riffles finally stood silent, the robot had been toppled
onto its back appearing dead, at least as dead as a sophisticated robot
such as an Imperian could look.
Pravat motioned for his troops to stay put and cover them while he and
Uxtar moved in to check on the status of their prey. The Imperians had
more than once proven to be resourceful and deceitful, so it had made
sense for both the Enaran and Hirogen to move with great care and
caution.
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[Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.] 2006 post #080
Stardate: 60341.1650
Mark Hutchings {h172mark16@fastmail.us}
Ensign Uxtar
Chief Security Officer
USS HATHOR
